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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

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Original poster

Checking handbags 'for security'

99 replies

Swanhissing · 04/05/2019 21:10

I have increasingly found that my handbag is being checked for security reasons when i enter places. I dont mind genuine security checks but i am beginning to feel that the 'bag checks" affect women way more than men and have nothing to do with security.

I always ask what is being looked for and its generally food, glass bottles and knives. All of which fit in mens coat pockets (and mine)

Today i went to see a ballet in a small town and had to wait in a queue for 20 minutes whilst 3 blokes looked in all the handbags for knives and sweets according the the guy who looked in my bag. None of the men had bags so just strolled in to the bar. Presumably with coat pockets just free of sweets and knives because they can police themselves?
Is anyone else noticing this trend?

OP posts:
Original poster
Swanhissing · 04/05/2019 22:10

Do you think they are more sophisticated that i realise and they are really profiling and properly check dodgy people.

OP posts:
meditrina · 04/05/2019 22:11

"its like a false security. Like people will feel safer but not actually be safer."

Security theatre exists for a reason. Knowing checks are in place, and you might get caught, even if only 1 in about 10 people (at slightly irregular intervals) get the thorough version, is still a deterrent.

It's the same thinking that means arches at airports bleep both when they detect something but also at random. Even if everything seems OK you couid be checked. It's good practice.

They are of course also checking for people's behaviour around the checks, and looking for those who show signs of undue stress.

ASqueakingInTheShrubbery · 04/05/2019 22:23

I use reusable cloth pads. I work in the courts. No security guard has ever batted an eyelid at the time, but I've noticed that if I'm in the same court 2-3 days in a row they don't check THAT pocket after the first day.

Itwouldtakemuchmorethanthis · 04/05/2019 22:32

I was going to say the same thing about period pants....surely they don’t rifle through a wet-bag?Envy

Peachesandcream14 · 04/05/2019 22:38

It never seems to be more than a cursory glance in my experience, so fairly useless. But I hid all my weed in tampon packets when I went to a festival as a teenager knowing the likely male bag checkers would recoil in horror, worked a charm Grin

deydododatdodontdeydo · 04/05/2019 22:56

Not at all. I don't carry a handbag.
If we go out as a family, DH generally carries a small rucksack with stuff in, and it gets searched.
Occasionally I'll carry it and it gets searched.
I think the thing is, bags get searched.

WokenUp · 04/05/2019 23:03

I really don't think it's a fetish Confused

Rufusthebewilderedreindeer · 04/05/2019 23:33

Its not so much the bag search that annoys me

It the repeated 'bag search' 'bag search' 'excuse me we need to search your bag' ' do you have a bag...it needs to be searched' bit that pisses me off

If i had a bloody bag I'd let you search it! And they keep asking! Don't ask dh or ds1 or ds1 boyfriend (when we went to the theatre)

Grin

Having said that dh nearly got shot in the usa when he got into an argument with an armed security guard about searching our buggy...cos the sign said bag search Grin

LassOfFyvie · 04/05/2019 23:42

I wear a cup, but now I feel like packing a handbag full of tampons next time I know ahead of time I will be searched just for fun

What a really stupid comment. We should be moving away from the idea that periods and sanitary protections are embarrassing and can't be spoken of- not revelling in it because it might cause a delay at a security check.

DeltaAlphaDelta · 04/05/2019 23:46

I work in security and depending on the venue, it will either be random bag searches/pat downs or everyone gets searched/patted down. Doesn't matter if its a handbag, rucksack or suitcase BUT when we do pat downs as well (on males and females), I gauruntee that most items that are not allowed into the venue are found in handbags rather than in pockets.

DeltaAlphaDelta · 04/05/2019 23:51

And 99% of the people I have ever worked with, wouldn't bat an eyelid at sanitary products. An obviously used condom in a handbag tho..........Envy

BogglesGoggles · 04/05/2019 23:55

Patting down can cause legal issues/geberally more resented and intrusive so they go for bags. Women carry more bags. Voila. Does it really mattter? If there is a better chance of spotting weaponssurely it’s a good thing?

LondonPainter · 05/05/2019 00:01

I went to see the Undertones on Thursday with my brother, who didn't get searched as he didn't have a bag. My bag was checked and they confiscated my chewing gum Hmm

DeltaAlphaDelta · 05/05/2019 00:05

Chewing gum is getting much more common to confiscate in searches now. Unfortunately too many people dont dispose of it properly when its been used.

There should be no legal issues with a pat down done properly by someone trained. If its a condition of entry, you wont be allowed in if you don't consent to it.

DeltaAlphaDelta · 05/05/2019 00:07

A lot of places wont allowed perfumes or body sprays in either, since the increase in acid attacks.

Reasonstobeearful · 05/05/2019 00:13

Really? They confiscate chewing gum because you might not put it in a bin?

Pathetic.

Reasonstobeearful · 05/05/2019 00:15

And to answer OP, yes, the fact that bags are searched more than people are patted down disproportionately affects women more than men. Obviously. 😐

DeltaAlphaDelta · 05/05/2019 00:17

Im not saying I disagree with you, but yes, thats generally the reason we get told to confiscate chewing gum. Too many people just spit it onto the floor and its a bugger to clean up. Its always down to the venue manager what is and isn't allowed in. Security just act on that, and are not usually allowed to use discretion.

Reasonstobeearful · 05/05/2019 00:19

Well it's hardly a security issue though is it.

Tunt · 05/05/2019 00:30

@Readonstobeearful, do you want one security team looking for the bombs and another Chewing Gum team looking for chewy contraband?

BoomBoomsCousin · 05/05/2019 00:33

Most places that I go where they check bags also have people turn out their pockets and walk through a metal detector. But a few museums seem to do what you describe, OP, and I agree it seems ineffective as a security check and tends to cause more delay to women than to men by a large margin.

DeltaAlphaDelta · 05/05/2019 00:40

The museums do that mainly for items that can cause criminal damage to the exhibits. Sometimes they get people trying to damage stuff as part of protests, believe it or not.

OccasionalKite · 05/05/2019 01:05

I wonder what the statistics are, regarding whether it is men or women who are more likely to damage exhibits?

DeltaAlphaDelta · 05/05/2019 01:08

The museums will check all bags, carried by males and females.

LassOfFyvie · 05/05/2019 01:11

Well it's hardly a security issue though is it

It doesn't need to be. The search could be for all or any of

•Are you intending to blow up my venue?
•Are you carrying recording equipment? Music venues don't on the whole mind crappy, wobbly videos on mobile phones but they very much mind high quality devices.
•Are you carrying something which is going to make a mess in my venue?